Combating Pancreatic Cancer: My Journey from Personal Loss to Founding PARC

Hello! My name is Vittoria Pinci, and I am currently a junior in high school. My passions are deeply rooted in photography and biology. For over two years, I have contributed to our school's photography newspaper and immersed myself in various photography classes. Among them, Digital Photography and Darkroom Photography hold a special place in my heart. Additionally, I actively participate in the innovative pitching club and co-lead the biotechnology club, where we explore advancements in biology and biotechnology and discuss the latest innovations in the field.

My passion extends to medical research, with a particular focus on cancer research, a field that became personal to me following my maternal grandmother's battle with pancreatic cancer. This experience, coupled with my participation in medical internships, volunteering campaigns for breast cancer awareness, and patient care groups, has deepened my commitment to this cause.

My main focus is pancreatic cancer, which can be classified as the 12th most common and deadliest disease worldwide. Pancreatic Cancer is a worldwide problem that affects mostly the elderly. The chances of getting diagnosed with this disease increase as one gets older. However, the main cause begins in our teenage years, with drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse but most importantly the main cause of pancreatic cancer is unhealthy diets. A record study said that an increasing percentage of 36.9% of US adults are obese which increases the chances of being diagnosed with such disease. Pancreatic cancer can also be transmitted through DNA. If one of your family members has been diagnosed with this disease, it could be transmitted to you through your genes. More than 495000 patients have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2020. The risk of getting pancreatic cancer is 1 to 58 in men and 1 to 60 in women and a very small percentage of 15% has the luck of finding out when the cancer is at its early stages.

In the past 20 years, the estimated new cases and the estimated death rates in the US have been going up.

In response to this challenge, I founded PARC - Pancreatic Cancer & Research Coalition. Our mission is multifaceted: to advocate for increased research funding and support, enhance accessibility to clinical trials, and raise public awareness. By promoting education initiatives for future medical professionals and fostering collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, we aim to make significant strides in the fight against pancreatic cancer. Public Awareness Campaigns are another one of my major goals, to share my knowledge about this topic and learn more about it through campaigns, but mostly to help others be more willing to consult an expert more often and raise a guard against this disease.  More goals: education Initiatives for Future Medical Professionals and collaboration with Multidisciplinary Teams. 

Our approach is encapsulated in the acronym DONARE (Italian for "to donate"), symbolizing our commitment to the cause:

DONARE- Support the cause every donation brings us closer to the cure.

OPTIMIZE- Enhance trial access and maximize Research Impact.

NAVIGATE-  Guide patients as they navigate through treatment options.

ADVANCE- Advance medical knowledge through dedicated research advocacy.

RALLY- Rally communities to raise awareness and support for pancreatic cancer 

EDUCATE- Empower communities by educating them on prevention strategies.

I'm in the process of developing a website to share insights and information on pancreatic cancer risks, aiming to improve the lives and extend the lifespans of those affected by this disease. My goal is to support those suffering, both physically and mentally, by enhancing their quality of life and providing the necessary energy to combat cancer.

A crucial step towards reducing mortality rates involves educating teenagers about the risks of substance abuse and unhealthy diets. However, empowering entire communities with knowledge about pancreatic cancer's risks, causes, and statistics is equally important.

Below in this diagram is also my future roadmap on how to scale this PARC.

PARC - Pancreatic Cancer & Research Coalition is at the forefront of integrating Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Good Health and Well-being), 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and 10 (Reduced Inequalities) into our mission. Driven by a personal battle against pancreatic cancer, we are dedicated to advancing medical research, enhancing access to treatment, and promoting healthcare equity. Our efforts in research advocacy, clinical trial accessibility, and public awareness are aimed at breaking down health disparities. By educating future medical professionals and collaborating across disciplines, we champion innovation in healthcare, aiming to ensure that advancements are accessible to all, regardless of background. PARC's mission is a testament to our commitment to fighting pancreatic cancer within a framework that advocates for health, innovation, and equality globally.